Wooden Spoons

We all make stuff other than pipes, so here's a place where "anything goes" as far as showing off some of your projects and other hobbies.
Post Reply
User avatar
Literaryworkshop
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 3:57 pm
Location: Alabama Gulf Coast
Contact:

Wooden Spoons

Post by Literaryworkshop »

I make a lot of wooden spoons. Most I give away (They make great housewarming gifts.), but I've sold a few as well. Here are a few examples:

Image

This pair came out of a tree limb I found in my backyard. The curly figure was a fun challenge to work with.


Image

This is a set of spoons all made from the same wood--the same log, in fact. They are pecan, which is a southern cousin of hickory. The three on the left are made from lighter sapwood, and the two on the right are heartwood. They were difficult to make, as this wood is very hard. They make briar seem soft. But once made, they're nigh unto indestructible.


Image

I've been working in walnut lately. These are all from a tree that came down in my in-laws' yard. After working the pecan, walnut feels almost soft.

All these are usually done entirely by hand--no machines at all. I generally split the wood out of logs or limbs, plane a face flat, and then trace a template on to the face. After that, it's all work with a drawknife, a spokeshave, and card scrapers. There's a bit of sanding at the end, and a hand-rubbed oil finish. The whole shaping process takes maybe 45 minutes. Sometimes I'll use offcuts from other projects, but then I have to be more careful about grain direction. Too much grain run-out will yield a weak spoon that can break in use. Splitting out stock yields the straightest grain.

It's a fun way to use nice wood that would otherwise end up in the burn pile or the landfill, and they're a nice way to relax between bigger furniture projects.
- Steve S.
User avatar
Tyler
Site Supporter
Posts: 2376
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
Location: Farmersville, TX
Contact:

Re: Wooden Spoons

Post by Tyler »

Cool!
wmolaw
Posts: 585
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:50 pm

Re: Wooden Spoons

Post by wmolaw »

Really nice!
Morris
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 7:50 pm

Re: Wooden Spoons

Post by Morris »

Nice looking spoons.
User avatar
d.huber
Posts: 2691
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:28 pm
Location: Durham, NC
Contact:

Re: Wooden Spoons

Post by d.huber »

I'd smoke 'em. :thumbsup:
http://www.dshpipes.com

"Strive for excellence, not for what someone else accepts."
-Tyler Beard
Post Reply